http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/contact/author/5896/Brad Cook/ Daily news, opinions, editorials, reviews, tips, forums, comments, and podcasts all relating to the iPod, the iPhone, Apple, and the surrounding industry. en bradcook@macobserver.com Copyright 2009 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:49:57 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fpegatron_forced_to_drop_zenbook_due_to_macbook_air_similarities%2F&seed_title=Pegatron+Forced+to+Drop+Zenbook+Due+to+MacBook+Air+Similarities http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/pegatron_forced_to_drop_zenbook_due_to_macbook_air_similarities/ Apple has reportedly forced manufacturer Pegatron to stop making Asustek’s Zenbook if it wants to keep its orders for iOS devices. Apple’s ultimatum stems from the Zenbook’s similarity to the MacBook Air, according to a 9to5 Mac article that cites a Chinese language piece. News, Rumor Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:51:02 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapples_stock_breaks_500_mark_for_first_time%2F&seed_title=Apple%26%238217%3Bs+Stock+Breaks+%24500+Mark+For+First+Time http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apples_stock_breaks_500_mark_for_first_time/ Shares of Apple’s stock, which trade under AAPL on Nasdaq, broke the US$500 mark for the first time in the company’s history during Monday morning trading. A CNBC article noted that Apple is now halfway to a $1 trillion valuation, which will be the first ever. Reports, Apple Stock Watch Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:00:43 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_announces_foxconn_inspections%2F&seed_title=Apple+Announces+Foxconn+Inspections http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_announces_foxconn_inspections/ Apple on Monday put out a press release in which it announced that “the Fair Labor Association [FLA] will conduct special voluntary audits of Apple’s final assembly suppliers, including Foxconn factories in Shenzhen and Chengdu, China, at Apple’s request. A team of labor rights experts led by FLA president Auret van Heerden began the first inspections Monday morning at the facility in Shenzhen known as Foxconn City.” News Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:20:26 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fatt_begins_process_toward_offering_shared_data%2F&seed_title=AT%26amp%3BT+Begins+Process+Toward+Offering+Shared+Data http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/att_begins_process_toward_offering_shared_data/ AT&T has said as far back as last June that it is working on offering shared data plans to its customers who want to pool their data among multiple users, but signs of its existence were scant until just recently, when a source sent Engadget a screenshot indicating that support for group data has been added to Telegence, the company’s internal system for managing customer accounts. iObserver Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:34:36 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_files_motion_to_stop_galaxy_nexus_sales_in_u.s%2F&seed_title=Apple+Files+Motion+to+Stop+Galaxy+Nexus+Sales+in+U.S. http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_files_motion_to_stop_galaxy_nexus_sales_in_u.s/ Late last week, Apple filed a motion in a U.S. court seeking a preliminary injunction against Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus smartphone, which runs Android OS 4.0. Florian Mueller, who has been closely following Apple’s litigation for many months, said on his blog that he expects a ruling on Apple’s filing “within a matter of months.” News Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:15:27 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fsteve_jobs_given_trustees_award_at_the_grammys%2F&seed_title=Steve+Jobs+Given+Trustees+Award+at+the+Grammys http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/steve_jobs_given_trustees_award_at_the_grammys/ Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was given a posthumous Trustees Award at the 2012 Grammys. The award is given “to individuals who, during their careers in music, have made significant contributions, other than performance, to the field of recording.” Mr. Jobs was one of three Trustees Award recipients for 2012. News Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:20:22 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fsamsung_loses_patent_complaint_apple_complies_with_italian_court_ruling%2F&seed_title=Samsung+Loses+Patent+Complaint%3B+Apple+Complies+With+Italian+Court+Ruling http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/samsung_loses_patent_complaint_apple_complies_with_italian_court_ruling/ Apple’s ongoing legal matters continued on Friday with a pair of events: a German court struck down Samsung’s second patent complaint against Apple, and Apple has placed a “Communication to protect consumers” notice on its online Italian store in compliance with a court ruling that said the company was pushing AppleCare while neglecting to tell buyers about the two-year warranty that’s legally mandatory in Italy. Apple was fined 1.2 million euros as part of the court ruling in Italy. News Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:47:17 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmotorola_posts_80_million_loss_for_4q11%2F&seed_title=Motorola+Posts+%2480+Million+Loss+For+4Q11 http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/motorola_posts_80_million_loss_for_4q11/ Motorola Mobility said on Thursday that its 4Q11 ended in a loss of US$80 million. The company said it shipped 10.5 million mobile devices, including 5.3 million smartphones and just 200,000 tablets. In comparison, Apple this week said it shipped 15 million iPads and 37 million iPhones during 4Q11. News Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:10:14 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fnokias_struggles_continue_with_73_4q11_earnings_drop%2F&seed_title=Nokia%26%238217%3Bs+Struggles+Continue+With+73%25+4Q11+Earnings+Drop http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/nokias_struggles_continue_with_73_4q11_earnings_drop/ Nokia on Thursday said its 4Q11 earnings fell 73 percent from the prior year as its push to sell its new Lumia Windows Phone failed to help it compete in a new marketplace. According to Reuters, the Lumia phone has sold more than one million units since it launched last November. News Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:44:29 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fdonkey.bas_for_ios_revives_dos_game_co-created_by_bill_gates%2F&seed_title=DONKEY.BAS+For+iOS+Revives+DOS+Game+Co-Created+by+Bill+Gates http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/donkey.bas_for_ios_revives_dos_game_co-created_by_bill_gates/ Developer XVision on Friday released DONKEY.BAS at the iOS App Store. The retro game recreates a PC-DOS game co-created by Bill Gates in 1981 to show off what the Microsoft BASIC programming language could do. The .BAS file extension indicated that it was BASIC program, so while the game was called Donkey, it was more commonly known as DONKEY.BAS. iObserver Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:04:54 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fto_dividend_or_not_to_dividend%2F&seed_title=To+Dividend+Or+Not+To+Dividend%3F http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/to_dividend_or_not_to_dividend/ What to do with all that money? That’s the question facing Apple after it revealed its piggy bank was close to US$100 billion. CFO Peter Oppenheimer said the company is “actively discussing” how to use that money, which renewed the call for a dividend among many investors and analysts. Apple’s hoard exceeds the market value of all but 26 firms in the Standard & Poor’s 500 index. Reports, Apple Stock Watch Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:35:09 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fresearch_firm_ihs_apple_retook_smartphone_lead_in_4q11%2F&seed_title=Research+Firm+IHS%3A+Apple+Retook+Smartphone+Lead+in+4Q11 http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/research_firm_ihs_apple_retook_smartphone_lead_in_4q11/ Research firm IHS, which now owns iSuppli, on Thursday said that Apple retook the number one spot in global smartphone shipments during 4Q11, thanks to the iPhone 4S, but Samsung grabbed the pole position for all of 2011. iObserver Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:42:54 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fgoogles_new_unified_privacy_policy_much_ado_about_nothing%2F&seed_title=Google%26%238217%3Bs+New+Unified+Privacy+Policy%3A+Much+Ado+About+Nothing%3F http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/googles_new_unified_privacy_policy_much_ado_about_nothing/ Google this week announced that it will be placing 60 of its Web services under one umbrella privacy policy that will take effect March 1 and allow those services to share data between them. The change is mandatory, although Google Books, Google Wallet and Google Chrome are excluded. Responses to the changes have been mixed so far. News Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:18:50 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fatt_sets_record_with_7.6_million_iphone_activations_in_4q11%2F&seed_title=AT%26amp%3BT+Sets+Record+With+7.6+Million+iPhone+Activations+in+4Q11 http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/att_sets_record_with_7.6_million_iphone_activations_in_4q11/ AT&T on Thursday announced its earnings for 4Q11, noting that it achieved its best-ever quarter for Android and iPhone activations, with 7.6 million iPhones activated out of the 9.4 million smartphones it sold. That helped drive the company’s sales 3.6 percent higher to US$32.5 billion. iObserver Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:13:12 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fnew_apple_patent_offers_insight_into_universal_remote%2F&seed_title=New+Apple+Patent+Offers+Insight+Into+Universal+Remote http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/new_apple_patent_offers_insight_into_universal_remote/ A new patent published this week titled “Apparatus and Method to Facilitate Universal Remote Control” reveals a touchscreen-based universal remote that would operate a variety of devices, including computers, and promises to reduce the clutter found on many universal remotes sold today. News Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:35:07 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2F4q11_tablet_shipments_more_than_double_but_ipad_loses_share%2F&seed_title=4Q11+Tablet+Shipments+More+Than+Double%2C+But+iPad+Loses+Share http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/4q11_tablet_shipments_more_than_double_but_ipad_loses_share/ Research firm Strategy Analytics said this week that tablet shipments more than doubled in 4Q11, thanks to frenzied interest in the iPad and Amazon’s Kindle Fire, but noted that Apple lost 10 points of market share while Android gained 10. iObserver Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:52:47 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fiphone_4_4s_ipad_dominate_enterprise_activations_in_4q11%2F&seed_title=iPhone+4%2F4S%2C+iPad+Dominate+Enterprise+Activations+in+4Q11 http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/iphone_4_4s_ipad_dominate_enterprise_activations_in_4q11/ Good Technology, whose products help IT departments secure mobile devices, this week released a report in which it said that the iPhone 4 and 4S “strongly dominated activations in the enterprise for Q4 2011. The mid-October release of the iPhone 4S caused smartphone activations to skyrocket month over month, while Android’s percentage of total smartphone activations remained steady.” iObserver Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:49:33 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_once_again_worlds_most_valuable_company%2F&seed_title=Apple+Once+Again+World%26%238217%3Bs+Most+Valuable+Company http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_once_again_worlds_most_valuable_company/ The Wednesday morning surge in Apple’s stock price, which hovered around the US$450 mark during the first few hours of trading, catapulted the company ahead of Exxon Mobil and into first place as the world’s most valuable company. The Wall Street Journal noted that the jump in AAPL shares put Apple’s market value at $416.7 billion, just ahead of Exxon Mobil’s $413 billion. Reports, Apple Stock Watch Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:51:48 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fanalyst_expects_apple_to_issue_dividend_soon%2F&seed_title=Analyst+Expects+Apple+to+Issue+Dividend+Soon http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/analyst_expects_apple_to_issue_dividend_soon/ Canaccord Genuity analyst Michael Walkley on Wednesday issued a new research note obtained by TMO. Mr. Walkley wrote: “We believe Apple is likely to announce a dividend during 2012, potentially next quarter when crossing $100B in cash and cash equivalents. We view this as very bullish for investors, as we believe a new group of investors seeking dividends would invest in Apple and drive shares higher.” Reports, Apple Stock Watch Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:36:11 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fsmile_adds_icloud_to_pdfpen_which_is_also_now_available_for_ipad%2F&seed_title=Smile+Adds+iCloud+to+PDFpen%2C+Which+is+Also+Now+Available+for+iPad http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/smile_adds_icloud_to_pdfpen_which_is_also_now_available_for_ipad/ Smile on Wednesday announced iCloud support for its PDF editor PDFpen, which is also available now for iPad. iCloud support is automatically included in the new PDFpen 5.7 and PDFpenPro 5.7 released to the Mac App Store, and users who update to the new version directly via Smile can buy the US$0.99 app PDF Cloud Access at the Mac App Store to receive the new functionality. News, Product News, iObserver, App Store, iCloud, iPad Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:49:34 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fanalyst_ubs_on_aapl_let_me_get_a_q1_supersized%2F&seed_title=Analyst%3A+%26%238216%3BUBS+on+AAPL%3A+Let+Me+Get+a+Q1%2C+Supersized%26%238217%3B http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/analyst_ubs_on_aapl_let_me_get_a_q1_supersized/ UBS analyst Maynard Um on Wednesday issued a new research note in which he covered Apple’s Tuesday earnings announcement and significantly raised his expectations for the company’s 2Q12 fiscal quarter and 2012 fiscal year, given the blowout results reported for calendar 4Q11. He bumped FY2Q12 from US$33.7 billion in revenue and $8.54 EPS to $37.5 billion/$10.95 and boosted FY2012 from $142.7 billion/$35.83 to $161.2 billion/$46.09. Reports, Apple Stock Watch Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:23:04 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fdid_apple_spend_100_million_so_far_on_its_war_against_android%2F&seed_title=Did+Apple+Spend+%24100+Million+So+Far+on+its+War+Against+Android%3F http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/did_apple_spend_100_million_so_far_on_its_war_against_android/ The “thermonuclear war” that Steve Jobs declared against Android may be getting bogged down in trench warfare that is rumored to have cost US$100 million or more, according to a source who spoke with Newsweek’s Dan Lyons. News Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:20:28 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Ftim_cook_apple_tv_still_classified_as_a_hobby%2F&seed_title=Tim+Cook%3A+Apple+TV+%26%238216%3BStill+Classified+as+a+Hobby%26%238217%3B http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/tim_cook_apple_tv_still_classified_as_a_hobby/ Apple may be rumored to have a TV set in the works, but its Apple TV set-top box “is still classified as a hobby,” CEO Tim Cook said during the company’s Tuesday earnings call. Mr. Cook made that categorization based on the revenue generated by the 2.8 million units sold during Apple’s previous fiscal year, which concluded last September. Reports, Apple Stock Watch Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:43:20 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_retail_store_sales_up_43_from_last_year%2F&seed_title=Apple+Retail+Store+Sales+Up+43%25+From+Last+Year http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_retail_store_sales_up_43_from_last_year/ During Apple’s quarterly earnings call on Tuesday, company CFO Peter Oppenheimer revealed that Apple’s average revenue per retail store was US$17.1 million during the fourth quarter of 2011, up 43 percent from $12.1 million a year ago. Apple opened four new stores in the quarter, three in Europe and one in New York City’s Grand Central Station, for a total of 361 locations in the chain. Reports, Apple Stock Watch Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:29:41 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fsteve_jobs_comic_book_hits_the_shelves%2F&seed_title=Steve+Jobs+Comic+Book+Hits+the+Shelves http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/steve_jobs_comic_book_hits_the_shelves/ Bluewater Productions’ comic book version of Steve Jobs’ life hit shelves this week, and Reuters filed a video report covering the story. A New York City comic book shop owner is quoted as saying the artwork “is pretty basic for a comic,” but it offers many “iconic images” from his life. News Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:58:44 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_patent_describes_3d_motion-controlled_iphone_interface%2F&seed_title=Apple+Patent+Describes+3D+Motion-Controlled+iPhone+Interface http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_patent_describes_3d_motion-controlled_iphone_interface/ Apple’s latest patent filing, which was filed in July 2010 and made public this week by the US Patent and Trademark Office, details a new iPhone interface concept in which the user relies on motion controls to interact with a 3D environment. However, this is not 3D in the sense of images springing off the screen; the patent filing refers to it as 3D images built with polygons. News Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:23:23 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Ftarget_confirms_plans_for_apple_stores-within-stores%2F&seed_title=Target+Confirms+Plans+For+Apple+Stores-Within-Stores http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/target_confirms_plans_for_apple_stores-within-stores/ Target has confirmed rumors from earlier this week that Apple will open stores-within-stores at 25 of its locations. The New York Times quoted a Target spokeswoman as saying the effort would involve “expanded displays” of Apple’s merchandise; she declined to elaborate on specifics. News Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:53:03 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Funruly_crowds_force_apple_to_halt_iphone_4s_sales_in_beijing_shanghai%2F&seed_title=Unruly+Crowds+Force+Apple+to+Halt+iPhone+4S+Sales+in+Beijing%2C+Shanghai http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/unruly_crowds_force_apple_to_halt_iphone_4s_sales_in_beijing_shanghai/ Unruly Chinese shoppers forced Apple to cease sales of the iPhone 4S in Beijing and Shanghai on Friday, the first day of the new smartphone’s sales in the country. According to CNN, hundreds of people camped outside an Apple store in Beijing and became angry when it remained closed after its scheduled 7 AM opening time. News Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:27:31 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fsteve_jobs_tv_epiphany_nothing_new_says_samsung_exec%2F&seed_title=Steve+Jobs%26%238217%3B+TV+Epiphany+%26%238216%3BNothing+New%2C%26%238217%3B+Says+Samsung+Exec http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/steve_jobs_tv_epiphany_nothing_new_says_samsung_exec/ As speculation about an Apple TV set swirls through this week’s Consumer Electronics Show, Philip Newton, Samsung Australia’s director of audio-visual, said that ex-CEO Steve Jobs’ revelation about “the simplest [TV] user interface you can imagine” is “nothing new.” He was quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald. Reports, Conferences, CES Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:45:46 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fover_half_of_apples_cash_locked_in_offshore_accounts%2F&seed_title=Over+Half+of+Apple%26%238217%3Bs+Cash+Locked+in+Offshore+Accounts http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/over_half_of_apples_cash_locked_in_offshore_accounts/ On the heels of Apple’s acquisition of Anobit, Seeking Alpha has taken a look at the tech giant’s growing cash hoard, which is impressive at US$82 billion but is hampered by the $54 billion that is held overseas and can’t be repatriated without a 35 percent tax hit. News Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:52:23 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapples_purchase_price_for_anobit_said_to_be_390m%2F&seed_title=Apple%26%238217%3Bs+Purchase+Price+For+Anobit+Said+to+be+%24390M http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apples_purchase_price_for_anobit_said_to_be_390m/ Apple’s acquisition of Israeli firm Anobit Technologies, which produces controllers that optimize flash memory capabilities, was said to be US$390 million, according to a pair of Anobit shareholders who spoke to Bloomberg. That price was below what Anobit sought, which was said to be as much as $500 million, according to speculation in an Israeli newspaper last month. News, Rumor Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:39:53 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Ffoxconn_resolves_latest_labor_dispute%2F&seed_title=Foxconn+Resolves+Latest+Labor+Dispute http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/foxconn_resolves_latest_labor_dispute/ Foxconn Technology on Thursday said it has resolved a dispute with 150 employees who launched a protest earlier this week that involved some of them threatening to commit suicide by jumping from the roof of a factory. Foxconn said most of the employees returned to work, with 45 of them resigning; a source cited by The New York Times said the workers were promised higher pay. News Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:08:36 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fsamsung_lg_reportedly_beat_out_sharp_for_ipad_3_display%2F&seed_title=Samsung%2C+LG+Reportedly+Beat+Out+Sharp+For+iPad+3+Display http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/samsung_lg_reportedly_beat_out_sharp_for_ipad_3_display/ Samsung and LG have reportedly beaten out Sharp for the contract to supply iPad 3 LCD panels, according to a source who spoke with Korea IT News. Sharp competed as a supplier, but the source said it failed to pass Apple’s approval process. News, Rumor Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:33:27 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_tops_mobile_shopping_satisfaction_survey%2F&seed_title=Apple+Tops+Mobile+Shopping+Satisfaction+Survey http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_tops_mobile_shopping_satisfaction_survey/ Research firm ForeSee on Thursday announced the results of a new study in which it found that the mobile shopping experience on Apple’s web site was the most satisfying among 3,000 consumers who were asked about 16 e-retailers. Apple’s score was 85 out of 100, barely beating out Amazon’s 84 points. Dell, Netflix, and eBay rounded out the top five. News Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:07:07 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_announces_education_event_in_nyc_on_jan._19%2F&seed_title=Apple+Announces+Education+Event+in+NYC+on+Jan.+19 http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_announces_education_event_in_nyc_on_jan._19/ Apple on Wednesday sent out invitations to the media to attend a special event at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City on January 19 at 10:00 AM Eastern time. News Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:42:42 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_attends_ces_in_an_unofficial_capacity%2F&seed_title=Apple+Attends+CES+in+an+Unofficial+Capacity http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_attends_ces_in_an_unofficial_capacity/ Unsurprisingly, Apple employees are walking the show floor at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show, according to a source who told Reuters that more than 250 of the tech giant’s employees are registered to attend. Apple has no official presence at the trade show. News, Reports, Conferences, CES Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:18:10 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fsmall_firm_beats_apple_in_court_files_extortion_charges%2F&seed_title=Small+Firm+Beats+Apple+in+Court%2C+Files+Extortion+Charges http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/small_firm_beats_apple_in_court_files_extortion_charges/ Small Spanish firm Nuevas Tecnologías y Energías Catalá, which won in court two months ago after Apple sued it for allegedly stealing the iPad’s design, has added extortion charges to the antitrust complaint it filed against the tech giant last August. According to patent blogger Florian Mueller, “under Spanish law, an act is considered extortion when someone uses violence or intimidation to enrich himself by forcing another party to commit an act or stop something to their economic detriment.” News Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:44:17 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fgpus_in_next-gen_ios_devices_could_be_20_times_more_powerful%2F&seed_title=GPUs+in+Next-Gen+iOS+Devices+Could+Be+20+Times+More+Powerful http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/gpus_in_next-gen_ios_devices_could_be_20_times_more_powerful/ Imagination Technologies, whose PowerVR GPUs are found in Apple’s iOS devices, on Tuesday announced its next-generation PowerVR Series6 GPU, which is 20 times more powerful than its current chips. News Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:59:36 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fdell_planning_new_tablet_in_late_2012%2F&seed_title=Dell+Planning+New+Tablet+in+Late+2012 http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/dell_planning_new_tablet_in_late_2012/ Dell’s Streak tablet may have failed to gain a foothold in the market before it was discontinued last year, but the company is planning a renewed focus on the market segment in late 2012, according to chief commercial officer Steve Felice, who spoke with Reuters. News Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:28:27 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fcomcast_brings_live_streaming_tv_to_ipad%2F&seed_title=Comcast+Brings+Live+Streaming+TV+to+iPad http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/comcast_brings_live_streaming_tv_to_ipad/ Comcast has added live streaming TV on an iPad to its service at no additional cost, although it’s currently available only to its Xfinity HD Triple Play subscribers in Denver and Nashville. The company will add more markets in coming months, according to AppleInsider. News Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:54:28 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_confirms_flash_memory_maker_buy%2F&seed_title=Apple+Confirms+Flash+Memory+Maker+Buy http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_confirms_flash_memory_maker_buy/ Apple on Tuesday confirmed that it bought Israeli flash memory maker Anobit Technologies Ltd. in December. The purchase was rumored last month, but Apple spokesman Steve Dowling’s acknowledgement to Bloomberg was the first official comment. News Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:29:18 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_rumored_to_shift_ipad_production_to_pegatron%2F&seed_title=Apple+Rumored+to+Shift+iPad+Production+to+Pegatron http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_rumored_to_shift_ipad_production_to_pegatron/ Apple has reportedly added China’s Pegatron Technology as a production facility for the next-generation iPad that it will announce in the coming months, according to a report by Digitimes. The news site has said in recent weeks that Apple will announce a fourth iPad this October, and it said on Tuesday that Pegatron will take a larger role in producing those. News, Rumor Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:05:07 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_moves_closer_to_china_telecom_contract%2F&seed_title=Apple+Moves+Closer+to+China+Telecom+Contract http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_moves_closer_to_china_telecom_contract/ China’s Radio Management Office has approved Apple’s application for a CDMA2000-based iPhone, moving the company a step closer to making the smartphone available to China Telecom’s 33 million subscribers. News Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:43:25 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_to_hold_annual_shareholder_meeting_feb._23%2F&seed_title=Apple+to+Hold+Annual+Shareholder+Meeting+Feb.+23 http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_to_hold_annual_shareholder_meeting_feb._23/ In addition to discussing CEO compensation, Apple’s 2012 proxy statement, which it released on Monday, announces that the annual shareholder meeting will be held on February 23, 2012 at 1 Infinite Loop, Building 4, in Cupertino, Calif. The meeting begins at 10 AM Pacific time.Seven proposals will be offered for vote during the meeting. They are all detailed in the proxy statement.  Reports, Apple Stock Watch Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:35:11 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_ceo_cooks_2011_compensation_worth_377_million%2F&seed_title=Apple+CEO+Cook%26%238217%3Bs+2011+Compensation+Worth+%24377+Million http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_ceo_cooks_2011_compensation_worth_377_million/ Apple’s 2012 proxy statement, which the company released on Monday, shows that CEO Tim Cook’s 2011 compensation is US$900,000 base salary plus $376.2 million worth of restricted stock that vests over a 10-year period. The restricted stock consists of one million shares awarded last August 24 at $376.18 each, which was the closing price that day. Reports, Apple Stock Watch Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:08:43 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fios_5.1_beta_reveals_siri_support_on_ipad%2F&seed_title=iOS+5.1+Beta+Reveals+Siri+Support+on+iPad http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/ios_5.1_beta_reveals_siri_support_on_ipad/ It’s not a shocking piece of information, but the iOS 5.1 Beta 3 currently in the hands of developers contains the “About Dictation and Privacy” information for Siri in the Settings app’s Keyboard section. News, Rumor Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:31:48 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_again_casts_its_shadow_on_ces%2F&seed_title=Apple+Again+Casts+its+Shadow+on+CES http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_again_casts_its_shadow_on_ces/ As another Consumer Electronics Show gets underway in Las Vegas (TMO’s Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet are on location and will be filing reports), Apple’s lack of participation once again weighs heavily on the proceedings; the company hasn’t exhibited at the show since 1994. San Francisco Chronicle columnist James Temple says that ultrabooks will be a major factor this year, thanks to the success of Apple’s MacBook Air. News, Reports, Conferences, CES Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:44:19 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fchangewave_research_sees_explosive_momentum_for_apple_in_2012%2F&seed_title=ChangeWave+Research+Sees+%26%238216%3BExplosive+Momentum%26%238217%3B+For+Apple+in+2012 http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/changewave_research_sees_explosive_momentum_for_apple_in_2012/ ChangeWave Research on Monday announced the results of a new survey of 4,000 North American consumers that found “explosive momentum” for Apple in 2012. Among the data points was the finding that 54 percent of those planning to buy a new smartphone in the next 90 days will choose an iPhone, a level of buying strength that ChangeWave has not seen more than two months after a new iPhone release. News Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:04:21 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fanalyst_android_litigation_offers_significant_value_for_aapl%2F&seed_title=Analyst%3A+Android+Litigation+Offers+%26%238216%3BSignificant+Value%26%238217%3B+for+AAPL http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/analyst_android_litigation_offers_significant_value_for_aapl/ Deutsche Bank analyst Chris Whitmore on Monday released a note in which he said that Apple’s litigation against vendors of Android-based smartphones, including Samsung, HTC, and Motorola, promises “significant value” for AAPL shares. Whether Apple secures licensing fees or outright bans on device sales, and thus market share gains, the company’s stock should see strong gains, he said. News, Reports, Apple Stock Watch Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:35:31 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=rss%2Fauthor%2F5896&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Ftwo_more_analysts_boost_their_apple_sales_estimates_on_iphone_strength%2F&seed_title=Two+More+Analysts+Boost+Their+Apple+Sales+Estimates+on+iPhone+Strength http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/two_more_analysts_boost_their_apple_sales_estimates_on_iphone_strength/ Goldman Sachs’ Bill Shope and Needham’s Charlie Wolf on Monday lifted their EPS estimates for Apple’s December quarter to US$9.94 and $10.85, respectively, citing higher iPhone sales estimates. The two moves come on the heels of two other analysts who last Thursday raised their Apple estimates because of strong iPhone sales. News, Reports, Apple Stock Watch Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:59:50 -0500